Speaker module for mobile device and mobile device having duct radiation structure

ABSTRACT

A speaker module for a mobile device is provided. The speaker module changes a shape of an opening surface of a duct to which a protection member for preventing a foreign substance from entering is attached. The speaker module includes a speaker for outputting a sound signal, a body in which the speaker is mounted, a duct connected to the body for forming a radiation path of a sound signal output from the speaker, and a protection member attached to an opening surface of the duct for preventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker module, wherein the opening surface has an area larger than that of a cross-sectional opening surface formed vertically with respect to a length direction of the duct.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of prior U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/770,628, filed Feb. 19, 2013, which claims the benefit under35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Feb. 24, 2012in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2012-0019346, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a speaker module for a mobile deviceand a mobile device having a duct radiation structure. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a speaker module for amobile device and a mobile device having a duct radiation structure thatcan improve a sound performance by changing a shape of an openingsurface of a duct to which a protection member for preventing a foreignsubstance from being injected is attached.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, due to the remarkable development of information andcommunication technology and semiconductor technology, the use of mobiledevices has rapidly increased and become widespread. More particularly,a recent mobile device performs mobile convergence including a functionof other terminals as well as each traditional intrinsic function. Forexample, a recent mobile communication terminal provides a multimediafunction such as a television viewing function (e.g., mobilebroadcasting such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or DigitalVideo Broadcasting (DVB)), a music reproduction function (e.g., MotionPicture Experts Group (MPEG) Audio Layer-3 (MP3)), and a moving picturereproduction function, in addition to a general communication functionsuch as voice communication and a character messaging service. As themultimedia use of mobile devices has grown, interest has correspondinglyincreased in a sound performance of a speaker module. Accordingly, thenumber of mobile devices using a speaker module having a duct radiationstructure has also increased.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker modulehaving a duct radiation structure according to the related art.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a speaker module 10 having a ductradiation structure includes a speaker 14 for outputting a sound signal,a body 11 in which the speaker 14 is mounted, a duct 12 extended fromone surface of the body 11 for guiding a sound signal of the speaker 14to be radiated to one surface, a soundproof member 15 attached to anopening surface of the duct 12, and a protection member 13 attached tothe soundproof member 15 for preventing a foreign substance fromentering the speaker module 10. It is preferable that the speaker module10 has a size to improve a sound performance.

However, advances in technology have allowed recent mobile devices to bethinner. Recent mobile devices also provide various functions accordingto a convergence trend. Because more capabilities are being provided ina smaller volume, it has become difficult for recent mobile devices tosecure enough mounting space for the speaker module 10. That is, a sizeof the speaker module 10 is limited by the available space in the mobiledevice. When a sound signal is radiated to a side surface, as in thespeaker module 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a size of the duct 12 inwhich a sound signal is radiated is further limited. In this way, as asize of the duct 12 is limited, the speaker module 10 has difficulty insecuring a satisfactory sound performance. When the protection member 13for preventing a foreign substance from being injected is attached, itbecomes difficult for the speaker module 10 to provide a satisfactorysound performance due to a sound pressure decrease by the protectionmember 13.

Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for an improved speakermodule for a mobile device and a mobile device having a duct radiationstructure.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a speaker module for a mobile device and a mobile device havinga duct radiation structure that can minimize deterioration of a soundperformance due to a protection member by changing a shape of a duct inorder to increase an area of an opening surface of the duct from which asound signal is radiated.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a speaker modulefastened to a mobile device is provided. The speaker module includes aspeaker for outputting a sound signal, a body in which the speaker ismounted, a duct connected to the body for forming a radiation path of asound signal output from the speaker, and a protection member attachedto an opening surface of the duct for preventing a foreign substancefrom entering the speaker module, wherein the opening surface has anarea larger than an area of a cross-sectional opening surface formedvertically with respect to a length direction of the duct.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a speakermodule fastened to a mobile device is provided. The speaker moduleincludes a speaker for outputting a sound signal, a body in which thespeaker is mounted, a duct connected to the body and including a firstopening surface, a second opening surface, and a third opening surface,which are a radiation path of a sound signal output from the speaker,and a protection member attached to the second opening surface and forpreventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker module, whereinthe first opening surface is formed at one side end of the duct, thesecond opening surface is formed within the duct, the third openingsurface is formed to expose the second opening surface, and an area ofthe second opening surface has an area larger than an area of across-sectional opening surface formed vertically with respect to alength direction of the duct.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a speakermodule fastened to a mobile device is provided. The speaker moduleincludes a speaker for outputting a sound signal, a body in which thespeaker is mounted, a duct connected to the body and having a firstopening surface and a second opening surface for radiating a soundsignal output from the speaker, and a protection member attached toenclose the first opening surface and the second opening surface forpreventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker module, whereinthe first opening surface is formed vertically or inclined with respectto a length direction of the duct, and the second opening surface isformed parallel to or inclined to a length direction of the duct.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mobiledevice having a duct radiation structure is provided. The deviceincludes a case in which a speaker module including a first duct forforming a radiation path of a sound signal is mounted, and a second ductformed in the case for radiating a sound signal of the speaker module tothe outside, wherein the second duct includes a protection member forpreventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker module.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker modulehaving a duct radiation structure according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of aspeaker module according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a speaker module accordingto the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of aspeaker module according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a speaker module accordingto the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fastened shape of aspeaker module and a mobile device having a duct radiation structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating sound performance measurementresults of a speaker module of the related art and speaker modules ofexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

A mobile device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is a small-sized terminal including a speaker module, andincludes a mobile communication terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a smart phone terminal, a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)audio layer-3 (MP3) player, and a Portable Multimedia layer (PMP).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of aspeaker module according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a speakermodule according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a speaker module 100 according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body 110, aduct 120, a protection member 130, a speaker 140, and a soundproofmember 150.

The speaker 140 is mounted within the body 110, and a sound signaloutput from the speaker 140 may be radiated to the outside through apassage formed with the body 110 and the duct 120. That is, a soundsignal output from the speaker 140 may be radiated to the outsidethrough an opening surface of the duct 120. Particularly, the duct 120according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present inventionincludes a first opening surface 121, a second opening surface 122, anda third opening surface 123. The first opening surface 121 is formed invarious forms (e.g., a stepwise form) such as a vertical form or a forminclined with respect to a length direction of the duct 120. The secondopening surface 122 is formed at one side end of the duct 120. The thirdopening surface 123 is formed to expose the second opening surface 122.Specifically, the second opening surface 122 is formed to have an arealarger than that of a cross-sectional opening surface formed verticallywith respect to a length direction of the duct 120.

The first opening surface 121 is in contact with a hole (not shown,hereinafter, a speaker hole) formed in a case of a mobile device (notshown). That is, a sound signal output from the speaker 140 is radiatedto the outside of a mobile device (not shown) through a speaker hole. Inthis case, the soundproof member 150 for preventing leakage of a soundsignal is positioned between the speaker hole and the first openingsurface 121. The soundproof member 150 may be formed of variousappropriate materials such as sponge, poron, and rubber.

The second opening surface 122 is a surface to which a protection member130 for preventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker moduleis attached, and it is preferable that an area S2 of the second openingsurface 122 be larger than an area S1 of the first opening surface 121.The protection member 130 may be formed with mesh and non-woven cloth.An audio signal passes through the protection member 130 with low soundsignal transfer resistance. A plurality of holes (i.e., net knot) areformed in the protection member 130. In order to enhance a foreignsubstance prevention effect, it is preferable that a size of a hole ofthe protection member 130 be small. However, as a size of the holereduces, the sound signal transfer resistance increases.

The third opening surface 123 is formed to easily attach the protectionmember 130 to the second opening surface 122.

As described above, as a structure of the duct 120 of the speaker module100 is changed, the speaker module 100 according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention can reduce sound pressuredeterioration due to the protection member 130, compared with thespeaker module 10 of the related art. This is because an area of anopening surface to which the protection member 130 is attached is largecompared with a case of the relate art and thus as a sound signal isradiated through a wide area, the transfer resistance to a sound signalpassing through the protection member 130 is relatively small.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of aspeaker module according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a speakermodule according to the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a speaker module 200 according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body 210, aduct 220, a protection member 230, a speaker 240, and a soundproofmember 250. The speaker module 200 according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is similar to the speaker module 100according to the first exemplary embodiment. However, the speaker module200 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention includes a soundproof cover 224 fastened to the third openingsurface 223. The soundproof cover 224 prevents a sound signal from beingdistributed and output to a third opening surface 223. That is, thespeaker module 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention prevents performance deterioration of a sound signaloccurring as the sound signal is distributed and output to the firstopening surface 221 and the third opening surface 223.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a soundproof cover 224 is formed separately, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, the soundproofcover 224 may be integrally formed with another part which is one ofconstituent elements of the speaker module 200. Alternatively, the thirdopening surface 223 may be soundproof-processed by body of the mobiledevice. For this, the body of the mobile device may include aconstituent element (e.g., a bracket) for blocking the third openingsurface 223. In this case, by attaching a soundproof member (e.g., poronand sponge) between the constituent element and the third openingsurface 223, a soundproof effect can be increased. Alternatively, inanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by not separatelyforming a constituent element for blocking the third opening surface 223in the body of the mobile device and by attaching a soundproof memberbetween the body of the mobile device and the third opening surface 223,a soundproof process may be performed.

In FIGS. 2 to 5, one protection member is attached to the second openingsurfaces 122 and 222, but the present invention is not limited thereto.That is, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, oneor more protection members may be attached to the speaker modules 100and 200. For example, a protection member may be further attached to thefirst opening surfaces 121 and 221 of the speaker modules 100 and 200.In this case, the protection member attached to the first openingsurfaces 121 and 221 may be more sparsely spaced than, i.e., may have ahole size larger than, a protection member attached to the secondopening surfaces 122 and 222. Alternatively, when an area of the firstopening surfaces 121 and 221 and the second opening surfaces 122 and 222is larger than that of a cross-sectional opening surface formedvertically with respect to a length direction of the duct, a protectionmember attached to the first opening surfaces 121 and 221 and the secondopening surfaces 122 and 222 may have the same hole size.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a speaker module 300 according to thethird exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a speaker340 for outputting a sound signal, a body 310 in which the speaker 340is mounted, a duct 320 for forming a radiation path of a sound signaloutput from the speaker 340, and a protection member 330 attached to anopening surface 321 of the duct 320.

The speaker module 300 according to the third exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention has an opening surface 321, unlike the speakermodules 100 and 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment. In this case, the opening surface 321 isnot formed vertically with respect to a length direction of the duct320. This is to enable the opening surface 321 to have an area largerthan that of a cross-sectional opening surface formed vertically withrespect to a length direction of the duct 320. For example, when alength direction of the duct 320 is assumed to ‘0°’, the opening surface321 of the duct 320 may be formed to have a tilt angle, essentially anyangle except for ‘90°’ and ‘270°’, which are angles having a minimumsectional area, and ‘180°’ and ‘360°’, which are angles parallel to alength direction of the duct 320.

The speaker module 300 according to the third exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention has one opening surface, unlike the speakermodules 100 and 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment respectively, and thus the protection member330 is more easily attached.

The speaker module 300 is fastened to the body of the mobile device. Inthis case, a sound signal of the speaker module 300 is radiated to theoutside through a speaker hole formed in a side surface of the body ofthe mobile device. However, as the opening surface 321 has a tilt, theopening surface 321 and the body of the mobile device do not fullycontact each other, and a gap may be formed between the opening surface321 and the body of the mobile device. Due to the gap, all sound signalsare not output to the outside through a speaker hole, and some soundsignal may be leaked. In order to prevent the leakage of such a soundsignal, the body of the mobile device includes a duct structure (notshown, hereinafter, a second duct) coupled to the duct 320 (hereinafter,a first duct) of the speaker module 300. That is, as a second ductcoupled to the first duct 320 is provided in the body of the mobiledevice, a sound signal output from the speaker module 300 may beradiated to the outside without leakage. In this way, when the secondduct is formed in the body of the mobile device, the protection member330 may be attached to an opening surface of the second duct. Theopening surface of the second duct is opposite to the opening surface ofthe first duct 320.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, one side end of the duct 320 to which the protectionmember 330 is attached has a tilt, but one side end of the duct 320 ofthe speaker module 300 may be formed in various forms having a surfacelarger than an opening surface of the speaker apparatus 10 of therelated art. For example, one side end of the duct 320 of the speakermodule 300 may be formed in a protruded form while having a tilt such as‘<’ and ‘>’ or in a protruded form while having a curvature such as ‘(’and ‘)’. Alternatively, by forming one side end of the duct 320 to whichthe protection member 330 is attached in a stepwise form, an area towhich the protection member 330 is attached may be increased. One sideend structure of the duct 320 may be applied to the foregoing first andsecond exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and to the thirdexemplary embodiment through a fifth exemplary embodiment to bedescribed later.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a speaker module 400 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a speaker440 for outputting a sound signal, a body 410 in which the speaker 440is mounted, a duct 420 for forming a radiation path of a sound signaloutput through the speaker 440, and a protection member 430 attached tothe duct 420 to prevent a foreign substance from entering the speakermodule.

The duct 420 includes a first opening surface 421 vertically formed atone side of the duct 420, and a second opening surface 422 formedparallel to a length direction of the duct 420. The protection member430 is attached to enclose the first opening surface 421 and the secondopening surface 422.

The speaker module 400 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention has one or more opening surfaces, and as theprotection member 430 is attached to the one or more opening surfaces, asound performance (sound pressure) is prevented from being deterioratedby the protection member 430. That is, the speaker module 400 accordingto the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention does notattach a protection member to one opening surface having a narrow arealike the related art but instead forms one or more opening surfaces, andthus a protection member may be attached to a relatively wide areacompared to the related art, thereby minimizing deterioration of a soundperformance due to the protection member.

The speaker module 400 is fastened to the body of the mobile device.When the speaker module 400 is fastened to the body of the mobiledevice, a sound signal of the speaker 440 is radiated to the outside ofthe speaker module 400 through the first opening surface 421 and thesecond opening surface 422 of the duct 420, and is radiated to theoutside through a speaker hole formed at one side (e.g., a side surface)of the body of the mobile device. In this case, when the second openingsurface 422 is blocked by the body of the mobile device, a sound signalis radiated through only the first opening surface 421, and thus thesame problem as that of the related art occurs. In order to preventthis, it is preferable that the body of the mobile device be formed soas to not block the second opening surface 422 of the speaker module400. For example, the body of the mobile device may include a device(e.g., a duct, a gap) for transferring a sound signal output through thesecond opening surface 422 to the speaker hole. Further, it ispreferable that an upper end area of a soundproof member 450 is removed.This is to prevent a problem that a sound signal radiated through thesecond opening surface 422 is not transferred to the outside through thespeaker hole of the case by the soundproof member 450.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional viewillustrating an external appearance and a section of a speaker moduleaccording to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a speaker module 500 according to thefifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body 510,a duct 520, a protection member 530, a speaker 540, and a soundproofmember 550.

The speaker module 500 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention has a structure similar to that of the speakermodules 100 and 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment, respectively. The speaker module 500according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present inventionincludes a soundproof cover 524 fastened to an opening surface aboveprotection member 530. The soundproof cover 524 prevents a sound signalfrom being distributed and output to the opening surface aboveprotection member 530. However, the protection member 530 is attached indifferent forms than in the previous embodiments. Specifically, in thefirst exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, theprotection members 130 and 230 have a vertical tilt, but the protectionmember 530 of the speaker module 500 according to the fifth exemplaryembodiment has a tilt in a horizontal direction, as shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the speaker module 500 includes oneprotection member 530, but the present invention is not limited thereto.That is, as described above, the speaker module 500 may include aplurality of protection members.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fastened shape of aspeaker module and a mobile device having a duct radiation structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a mobile device 700 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a body 710 in which aspeaker module 600 is mounted and a second duct 720 formed in the body710 for radiating a sound signal of the speaker module 600 to theoutside. The mobile device 700 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention includes a protection member 730 for preventing aforeign substance from entering the inside of the second duct 720.

The second duct 720 includes a first opening surface contacting with afirst duct 620, a second opening surface formed within the second duct720 and to which the protection member 730 is attached, and a thirdopening surface positioned at an opposite side surface of the firstopening surface for radiating a sound signal to the outside. Further,the mobile device 700 includes a soundproof member 650 positionedbetween the first opening surface of the second duct 720 and an openingsurface of the first duct 620 for transferring a sound signal outputfrom a speaker 640 without leakage from the first duct 620 to the secondduct 720. The mobile device 700 may include a plurality of protectionmembers. For example, the mobile device 700 may further attach aprotection member 750 to the third opening surface. In this case, theprotection member 750 attached to the third opening surface may have ahole size greater than or equal to the protection member 730 attached tothe inside of the second duct 720.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating a sound performancemeasurement result of a speaker module of the related art and speakermodules of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10A is agraph illustrating a sound pressure measurement result of each speakermodule, and FIG. 10B is a graph illustrating a Total Harmonic Distortion(THD) measurement result of each speaker module. When a sine wave whichis a single frequency is input, THD is a ratio of the level sum of aharmonic component included in an output signal and an output signallevel. That is, as a THD value is low, a performance of the speaker isgood.

Referring to FIG. 10A, a first graph A is a sound pressure graph of thespeaker module 10 of the related art, a second graph B is a soundpressure graph of the speaker module 100 according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a third graph C is asound pressure graph of the speaker module 200 according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention. When comparing the firstgraph A to the third graph C, it can be seen that a sound pressure ofthe speaker modules 100 and 200 according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention is generally increased, compared with the speakermodule 10 of the related art. More specifically, it can be seen that thespeaker modules 100 and 200 according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are similar in a frequency band, or a sound pressureof about 1 decibel (dB) to 6 dB is increased, compared with the speakermodule 10 of the related art. Further, when comparing the second graph Band the third graph C, it can be seen that a sound pressure of thespeaker module 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment isfurther increased in an intermediate and large band, from about 900Hertz (Hz) to about 3000 Hz and again from about 4500 Hz to about 7500Hz, compared with the speaker module 100 according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

A fourth graph A′ is a THD graph of the speaker module 10 of the relatedart, a fifth graph B′ is a THD graph of the speaker module 100 accordingto the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a sixthgraph C′ is a THD graph of the speaker module 200 according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When comparingwith the fourth graph A′ to the sixth graph C′, it can be seen that thespeaker modules 100 and 200 according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are generally lower in THD than the speaker module 10of the related art. This means that a level of a harmonic componentincluded in a signal output from the speaker modules 100 and 200according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is low. Thatis, it can be seen that a performance of the speaker modules 100 and 200according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is improved,compared with the speaker module 10 of the related art.

FIGS. 10A and 10 B illustrate measurement results of the speaker modules100 and 200 according to only the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, aperformance of the speaker modules 300, 400, and 500 according to thethird, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiments of the present invention,and the speaker module 600 fastened to a mobile device having a ductradiation structure described in FIG. 9, is similarly improved incomparison to the speaker module 10 of the related art.

In the foregoing description, it has been described that a protectionmember is attached to a duct formed in a speaker module or a mobiledevice body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aprotection member may be doubly attached. That is, in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a protection member may be attachedto a duct and a speaker hole of a body of a mobile device. In this case,it is preferable to attach a protection member in which a size of a holeis relatively large to the speaker hole and the duct. Alternatively, ina structure of the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a protection member may be doublyattached to a first opening surface and a second opening surface. Inthis way, according to the present invention, by attaching a protectionmember having a relatively large hole size to an opening surface, soundpressure deterioration by a protection member is reduced, and byattaching a plurality of protection members, due to an increased area ofa hole size of the protection member, a possibility of a foreignsubstance entering the speaker module can be minimized.

As described above, a speaker module for a mobile device and a mobiledevice having a duct radiation structure according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention can increase an area of an openingsurface to which a protection member is attached by changing a shape ofa duct in which a sound signal is radiated. In this way, as an area ofthe opening surface is increased, a sound performance deteriorationproblem by the protection member can be improved. That is, a soundperformance of the speaker module can be improved.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes and form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising: a speaker modulecomprising: a speaker configured to output a sound signal, and a ductconfigured to provide a radiation path of the sound signal, the ductcomprising one side end, at which the sound signal is emitted from thespeaker module, and a first opening having a tilted configuration at theone side end; a body in which the speaker module is mounted, the bodycomprising a connecting portion comprising a second opening opposite thefirst opening, the second opening being configured to couple with thefirst opening; and a protection member disposed between the firstopening and the second opening, wherein the duct and the connectingportion are configured such that the first opening is coupled to thesecond opening to radiate the sound signal via the connecting portion toan outside of the mobile device without leakage, wherein the protectionmember covers only the first opening having the tilted configuration orthe second opening, wherein the entire protection member disposed at oneof the first opening or the second opening is tilted, and wherein thespeaker module is configured to be an essentially soundproof enclosureexcept for the first opening.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1, whereinthe protection member is attached to the second opening.
 3. The mobiledevice of claim 1, wherein the protection member is attached to thefirst opening.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the protectionmember comprises at least one of a mesh, a non-woven cloth, or amaterial comprising a plurality of holes and having a low sound signaltransfer resistance.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the tiltedconfiguration of the first opening provides the protection member with agreater area than a cross sectional area of the duct.
 6. The mobiledevice of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is configured for thebody to be attached with the protection member.
 7. The mobile device ofclaim 1, wherein the first opening is tilted with respect to at leastone planar surface of the mobile device.
 8. The mobile device of claim1, wherein the first opening is tilted with respect to a lengthdirection of the duct, and wherein the length direction of the duct isparallel to a front or back planar surface of the mobile device.
 9. Amobile device comprising: a speaker module comprising: a speakerconfigured to output a sound signal; and a speaker duct configured toprovide a radiation path of the sound signal, the speaker ductcomprising one side end, at which the sound signal is emitted from thespeaker module, and a first opening having a tilted configuration at theone side end; a body in which the speaker module is mounted, the bodycomprising a connecting duct portion having a second opening oppositethe first opening and configured to couple with the first opening toradiate the sound signal via the connecting duct portion to an outsideof the mobile device, wherein the coupling of the first opening and thesecond opening prevents leakage of the sound signal; and a protectionmember disposed between the first opening of the speaker duct and thesecond opening of the connecting duct portion, wherein the protectionmember covers only the first opening having the tilted configuration orthe second opening, wherein the entire protection member disposed at oneof the first opening or the second opening is tilted, and wherein thespeaker module is configured to be an essentially soundproof enclosureexcept for the first opening.
 10. The mobile device of claim 9, whereinthe protection member is attached to the second opening.
 11. The mobiledevice of claim 9, wherein the protection member is attached to thefirst opening.
 12. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the protectionmember comprises at least one of a mesh, a non-woven cloth, or amaterial comprising a plurality of holes and having a low sound signaltransfer resistance.
 13. A mobile communication device comprising: aprocessor; a memory; a speaker module including: a body including a holeformed thereon; and a speaker disposed in the hole such that a soundoutputting side of the speaker is exposed to an inside of the speakermodule body and sound generated by the speaker is outputted out of thespeaker via the sound outputting side, wherein the speaker module bodyincludes a passage having an opening at an end of the passage, theopening being tilted with regard to the passage, wherein the speakermodule is configured to be an essentially soundproof enclosure exceptfor the opening, and wherein the sound outputted out of the speaker ispassed to an exterior of the speaker module via the opening; and aprotector formed between a body of the mobile communication device andthe opening, wherein the protector covers only the body of the mobilecommunication device corresponding to the opening, and wherein theentire protector only disposed the body of the mobile communicationdevice is tilted.
 14. The mobile communication device of claim 13,wherein the speaker module body comprises: a first body portionincluding the hole; and a second body portion connected to the firstbody portion such that the second body portion faces the soundoutputting side of the speaker, wherein the first body portion, thesecond body portion, and the sound outputting side of the speakertogether form the passage.
 15. The mobile communication device of claim14, wherein the protector is attached at least partly to the first bodyportion or the second body portion along with the opening, an area ofthe protector being larger than an area of a cross section of thepassage.
 16. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein thefirst body portion and the second body portion have different lengths atthe opening such that the opening forms an inclined shape toward thefirst body portion or the second body portion.
 17. The mobilecommunication device of claim 13, wherein the passage is blocked atanother end of the passage.
 18. The mobile communication device of claim13, wherein the opening has a tilt, a curvature, or a stepwise form in alength direction of the passage.
 19. The mobile communication device ofclaim 13, wherein the speaker module is fastened to the body of themobile communication device.
 20. The mobile communication device ofclaim 19, further comprising: another passage formed through the body ofthe mobile communication device, wherein the passage and the otherpassage are coupled such that the passage and the another passage form acontinuous path for passing the sound.
 21. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 19, further comprising: a soundproof member positionedbetween the body of the apparatus and the passage for preventing thesound from being leaked.
 22. A speaker module adapted to be fastened toan electronic device, the speaker module comprising: a first bodyportion including a hole formed thereon; a speaker disposed in the holesuch that a sound outputting side of the speaker is exposed to an insideof the speaker module and that sound generated by the speaker isoutputted out of the speaker via the sound outputting side; a secondbody portion connected to the first body portion such that the secondbody portion faces the sound outputting side of the speaker; and aprotector connected to the first body portion and the second bodyportion along with an opening, wherein the entire protector disposedbetween the first body portion and the second body portion is tilted,wherein the first body portion, the second body portion, and the soundoutputting side of the speaker together form a passage having theopening at an end of the passage, the opening being tilted with regardto the first body portion or the second body portion, wherein thespeaker module is configured to be an essentially soundproof enclosureexcept for the opening, wherein the sound outputted out of the speakeris passed to an exterior of the speaker module via the opening, whereinthe protector covers only the hole of the first body portion, andwherein the entire protector only disposed the hole of the first bodyportion is tilted.
 23. The speaker module of claim 22, wherein an areaof the protector is larger than an area of a cross section of thepassage.
 24. The speaker module of claim 22, wherein the first bodyportion and the second body portion comprise different lengths at theopening such that the opening forms an inclined shape with regard to thefirst body portion or the second body portion.
 25. The speaker module ofclaim 22, wherein the passage is blocked at another end of the passage.26. The speaker module of claim 22, further comprising: a fasteningstructure being formed as at least a part of the first body portion orthe second body portion, the fastening structure being configured tofasten the speaker module to a body of the electronic device.
 27. Amobile device comprising: a speaker module comprising: a speakerconfigured to output a sound signal; and a duct configured to provide aradiation path of the sound signal, the duct comprising one side end, atwhich the sound signal is emitted from the speaker module, and a firstopening having a tilted configuration at the one side end; a body inwhich the speaker module is mounted, the body comprising a connectingportion comprising a second opening opposite the first opening, thesecond opening being configured to couple with the first opening; and atleast one protection member disposed between the first opening and thesecond opening, wherein the duct and the connecting portion areconfigured such that the first opening is coupled to the second openingto radiate the sound signal via the connecting portion to an outside ofthe mobile device without leakage, wherein the speaker module isconfigured to be an essentially soundproof enclosure except for thefirst opening, wherein the at least one protection member covers onlythe first opening having the tilted configuration or the second opening,and wherein the entire at least one protection member is only disposedthe first opening or the second opening, and is tilted.
 28. The mobiledevice of claim 27, wherein the entire at least one protection member isattached in a linear form, and wherein the speaker module is configuredto be an essentially soundproof enclosure except for the first opening.29. The mobile device of claim 28, wherein the first opening is tiltedwith respect to at least one planar surface of the mobile device.